[2015] KEELRC 1397 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant's employment was terminated without following a fair procedure, as he was neither given notice nor reasons for the termination. The respondent, having failed to appear or defend the claim, did not discharge its statutory burden to justify the termination. The court applied the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEELRC 1397 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Shadrack Mutuku Mututu; Respondent: Fidelity Security Limited
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 331 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Claim allowed. Judgment entered for the claimant.
- Legal Topics
- Unfair Termination, Procedural Fairness, Burden of Proof, Compensation for Dismissal
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Shadrack Mutuku Mututu
Claimant
Fidelity Security Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the claimant's termination was unfair or unlawful.
- 2 Whether the respondent followed fair procedure in terminating the claimant.
- 3 Whether the claimant is entitled to compensation and other remedies.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant's employment was terminated without following a fair procedure, as he was neither given notice nor reasons for the termination. The respondent, having failed to appear or defend the claim, did not discharge its statutory burden to justify the termination. The court applied the relevant provisions of the Employment Act, holding that the termination was unfair and awarding the claimant compensation, including pay in lieu of notice, unpaid leave, and damages for unfair termination.
Court Disposition
Claim allowed. Judgment entered for the claimant.
Orders
- The respondent shall pay the claimant Kshs. 10,350 as one month's pay in lieu of notice.
- The respondent shall pay the claimant Kshs. 21,735 for unpaid leave for 3 years.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE INDUSTRIAL COURT AT NAIROBI
CAUSE NUMBER 331 OF 2014
SHADRACK MUTUKU MUTUTU ………....CLAIMANT
VERSUS
FIDELITY SECURITY LIMITED………....RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
1. This cause proceeded as undefended cause after I became satisfied that the Respondent was duly served with summons and claim but neither filed appearance nor defence.
2. When the matter came up for hearing, on 5th November, 2014 I sought to know from Mr. Nyangoro if he intended to rely on any documents or averments more than what he had pleaded and filed in Court and he informed me that he entirely relied on the pleadings and documents filed and requested if the case could be disposed of by way of written submissions. I granted the request and reserved a date for judgment.
3. The Claimant’s counsel submitted that his client was an employee of the Respondent working as a security guard. He worked from 2004 until February 2013 when he was dismissed without any justifiable cause.
4. According to him, on 19th February, 2013 he was taken ill and sought medical attention at Makadara Mercy Sisters’ Dispensary where he was treated for chest paints and given 3 days off duty. His health did not improve after the 3 days and he called his employer to inform them that he was still unwell and could therefore not resume work. He was then advised to report to work on 28th February, 2013 but when he did so he found his services had been terminated.
5. The Claimant therefore seeks an order for compensation from the Court as set out in paragraph 16 of the Memorandum of Claim.
6. Section 47 (5) of the employment Act places the burden of proving the occurrence of unfair or unlawful termination of employment on the employee while the burden of justifying the grounds for termination is placed on the employer. The Act further prohibits at section 45, unfair termination of employment. Termination of employment using an unfair procedure is deemed as one of the grounds of unfair termination.
7. From the facts as set out by the Claimant his services appear to have been terminated without following a fair procedure. He was neither given notice nor reasons for terminating his services.
8. The Court therefore awards him as follows:-
(a) One month’s pay in lieu of notice ………………..Kshs.10,350
(b) Unpaid leave for 3 years…………………………....Kshs.21,735
(c) 6 months’ pay for unfair termination of services..Kshs.62,100
TOTAL Kshs.135,585
9. The Claimant shall have costs of the suit. The Respondent is further directed to issue the Claimant with a Certificate of Service.
10. It is so ordered.
Dated at Nairobi this 13th day of February 2015
Abuodha J. N.
Judge
Delivered this 13th day of February 2015
In the presence of:-
……………………………………………………………for the Claimant and
………………………………………………………………for the Respondent.
Abuodha J. N.
Judge